Little Shepherd

Chapter 41

Derek gets to his feet as he see's who's stepping out of the car.

"Addison what the hell is he doing here?" Derek hisses angrily. She looks at him desperately.

"Derek I'm so sorry, I didn't know he was coming. I swear I didn't know."

"Come here Jose," Meredith says quietly as she takes Josie from Addison to get her away from what she assumes will soon be an argument. She backs away toward the door, ready to take Josie inside at the first sight of trouble. Josie buries her face against Meredith's neck.

"Man this place really is in the middle of no where." Mark says with a smirk as he walks towards them with gift bags in each hand. "I lost you three times, I almost didn't make it." He says looking to Addison.

"You followed me?" Addison asks, obviously upset. Mark looks at her confused.

"You said you were you going to Josie's birthday dinner, I just assumed that was an invitation. I've been at every birthday dinner celebration since her actual birth." Mark replies.

"That was before." Derek snips.

"Come on man, please. It's Jojo's birthday. I just want to see her." He lifts the gifts in his hands. "Give her these, watch her blow out some candles or something." Derek shakes his hand. Shocked by the nerve of this man. He sleeps with his wife and then shows up to his daughters birthday.

"Mark..."Addison goes to argue.

"Every birthday, every Christmas, every everything. I've been there. I was the first person to hold her when she was born after the two of you. I was there when she said her first word. I'm-I'm Uncle Mark." He insists emotionally. "I know things are complicated right now-" Derek cuts him off.

"Complicated?" Derek responds angrily through clenched teeth trying his best to keep his voice low. "You had an affair with my wife."

"I told you man, it wasn't like that. I love her. I'm in love with her." Mark tries to explain like that would make it all better.

"Mark please!" Addison begs. Josie finally opened up to her and now Mark is barging in and ruining everything.

"You're incapable of love Mark" Derek snaps back. Mark shakes his head.

"I moved in with her Derek. I'm not running this time. I'm staying in Seattle. I'm not asking you to love it, hell I'm not even asking you to like it, but we're all going to be a part of Josie's life one way or another. I love that little girl like she's my own flesh and blood, so please....please can we just at least try to pretend like you don't hate my guts? Just for one night. Just long enough for me to see my niece on her birthday." To his surprise Derek stays quiet. He takes a moment to think about it. He's moved on from Addison. He's in love with Meredith and whether he likes it or not Mark is sticking around. He looks back at Josie who is still wrapped in Meredith's arms.

"It's not up to me." Derek says quietly after a moment. "I've said before and I'll say it again, Josie's comfort is all that matters to me. It's her birthday. If she wants you here I won't stop you." Mark smiles. "...But if she wants you to go, you go." Mark nods, the smile wipes from his face. He hopes more than anything that she'll ask him to stay. If she turns him away again it'll break his heart.

"Yeah, okay, fair enough." They all look to Josie who is peaking out at them under her arm that's resting on Meredith's shoulder. "What do you say kid? Can Uncle Mark stick around for a bit?" Josie looks up at him slowly. She watches him curiously then wiggles to be put down. Meredith places her down on the porch and Josie cautiously makes her way towards Mark. He places the gifts down as he kneels down in front of her so that they're on the same level.